The 2023 League of Ireland First Division season was the 39th season of the League of Ireland First Division, the second tier of the Republic of Ireland's association football league.
Season | 2023 |
---|---|
Dates | 17 February 2023 – 20 October 2023 |
Champions | Galway United |
Promoted | Galway United Waterford |
Matches played | 180 |
Total attendance | 196,050[1] |
Average attendance | 1,089 |
← 2022 2024 →
All statistics correct as of 25 November 2023. |
The winners (Galway United) were promoted to the 2024 League of Ireland Premier Division.[2][3] The runners-up (Waterford) were also promoted after winning the League of Ireland Premier Division play-off.
Overview
editThe First Division has 10 teams. Each side plays each other four times for a total of 36 matches in the season. The team that finishes in first place achieve automatic promotion to the Premier Division. Teams finishing second to fifth place will enter the play-offs to determine the side to contest for a place in the 2024 Premier Division against the ninth placed (second last) Premier Division team.[4][5]
Teams
editTeam changes
editCork City were promoted to the 2023 Premier Division as 2022 First Division champions.[6] Finn Harps were relegated from the 2022 Premier Division.[7]
Additional teams
editNewly formed Kerry F.C. successfully applied for a First Division licence to compete in the 2023 season.[8]
Stadia and locations
editTeam | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
---|---|---|---|
Athlone Town | Athlone | Athlone Town Stadium | 5,000 |
Bray Wanderers | Bray | Carlisle Grounds | 4,000 |
Cobh Ramblers | Cobh | St. Colman's Park | 3,000 |
Finn Harps | Ballybofey | Finn Park | 6,000 |
Galway United | Galway | Eamonn Deacy Park | 5,000 |
Kerry | Tralee | Mounthawk Park | 1,200 |
Longford Town | Longford | Bishopsgate | 5,097 |
Treaty United | Limerick | Markets Field | 5,000 |
Waterford | Waterford | RSC | 5,160 |
Wexford | Crossabeg | Ferrycarrig Park | 2,500 |
Personnel and kits
editNote: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Team | Manager | Captain | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
---|---|---|---|---|
Athlone Town | ||||
Bray Wanderers | ||||
Cobh Ramblers | ||||
Finn Harps | ||||
Galway United | ||||
Kerry | ||||
Longford Town | ||||
Treaty United | ||||
Waterford | ||||
Wexford |
Managerial changes
editTeam | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure |
Date of vacancy | Position in table | Incoming manager | Date of appointment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Waterford | Sacked | 27 March 2023 | 5th | 29 March 2023 | ||
Athlone Town | Mutual Consent | 15 April 2023 | 5th | 15 April 2023 | ||
Athlone Town | Change of Role | 15 May 2023 | 5th | 19 May 2023 | ||
Finn Harps | Mutual Consent | 23 September 2023 | 9th | 27 September 2023 |
League table
editPos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Galway United (C, P) | 36 | 30 | 4 | 2 | 98 | 18 | +80 | 94 | Promotion to League of Ireland Premier Division |
2 | Waterford (O, P) | 36 | 20 | 9 | 7 | 84 | 32 | +52 | 69 | Qualification for League of Ireland Premier Division play-off |
3 | Cobh Ramblers | 36 | 16 | 11 | 9 | 61 | 51 | +10 | 59 | |
4 | Wexford | 36 | 15 | 8 | 13 | 48 | 49 | −1 | 53 | |
5 | Athlone Town | 36 | 14 | 5 | 17 | 55 | 61 | −6 | 47 | |
6 | Treaty United | 36 | 12 | 8 | 16 | 49 | 61 | −12 | 44 | |
7 | Bray Wanderers | 36 | 10 | 14 | 12 | 48 | 62 | −14 | 44 | |
8 | Longford Town | 36 | 10 | 10 | 16 | 39 | 51 | −12 | 40 | |
9 | Finn Harps | 36 | 9 | 10 | 17 | 39 | 74 | −35 | 37 | |
10 | Kerry | 36 | 1 | 7 | 28 | 29 | 91 | −62 | 10 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted
Season statistics
editTop scorers
editRank [9] | Player | Club | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Waterford | 33 | |
2 | Athlone Town | 20 | |
3 | Galway United | 19 | |
4 | Galway United | 14 | |
5 | Wexford F.C. | 13 | |
Cobh Ramblers | |||
7 | Treaty United | 12 | |
8 | Cobh Ramblers | 11 | |
9 | Athlone Town | 10 | |
Waterford F.C. | |||
Longford Town |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "League of Ireland attendances up by 20 per cent as nearly 1 million attend domestic matches in 2023". The Irish Times. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
- ^ "Galway confirmed as First Division champions after hitting Kerry for four". Irish Independent. 23 September 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
- ^ "Galway United gain promotion to the top flight in style". Irish Examiner. 23 September 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
- ^ "2023 League of Ireland First Division". Extra Time. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- ^ "League of Ireland Mens First Division - Overview". SSE Airtricity League. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- ^ "Cork City lift First Division title at packed Turner's Cross after win over Bray". The 42. 21 October 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- ^ "Finn Harps relegated as UCD claim relegation play-off place". Irish Independent. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- ^ "Kerry FC secure licence to join League of Ireland". The 42. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- ^ "Irish Premier Division Top Scorers". finalwhistle.ie. Retrieved 28 August 2023.